Algorithmics
Algorithmics is a broad MSc-level introduction to designing, analysing, implementing, and evaluating algorithms and data structures. Topics range from sorting, trees, hashing, and graphs to heuristic optimisation, dynamic programming, and text algorithms.
The aim is not merely to memorise algorithms or produce code. By the end of the course, students should be better able to choose an appropriate method, reason about correctness and performance, test claims with useful evidence, and communicate results concisely. See Why this course?
This is a compulsory course in the MSc in Computer Science, normally taken in the first semester. It is also suitable for students in Data Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, bioinformatics, statistics, mathematics, and related fields.
Teaching format
The course uses a flipped-classroom format. Topic notes, slides, and pre-recorded lectures provide the main study material. Wednesday meetings guide students toward the right material, clarify difficult ideas, discuss examples, and introduce upcoming homework with initial guidance and hints.
Practice sessions support problem solving, implementation, experiments, reporting, and project development. The course is assessed through homework, a project, and an exam; see Assignments and grading.
Lectures and practical sessions
- Lecture and consultation: Wednesday 10:15-12:00, weeks 1-16, Delta 1019 - Jaak Vilo, vilo@ut.ee, office Delta 3119 - general Zulip channel.
- Group 1: Tuesday 12:15-14:00, weeks 2-16, Delta 1008 - Somnath Banerjee, somnath.banerjee@ut.ee - G1 Zulip channel.
- Group 2: Thursday 14:15-16:00, weeks 2-16, Delta 2010 - Jaagup Tamme, jaagup.tamme@ut.ee - G2 Zulip channel.
- Group 3: Friday 14:15-16:00, weeks 2-16, online - Somnath Banerjee, somnath.banerjee@ut.ee - G3 Zulip channel.
First lecture: Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Practice sessions begin in week 2: Tuesday 8 September, Thursday 10 September, and Friday 11 September, according to the registered group.
- Course registration and official information in SIS/OIS
- For technical problems, contact University of Tartu IT support or ati.comp@ut.ee.
Start here
- Weekly learning plan, topic notes, slides, and recordings
- Homework schedule, rules, and guidelines
- Submission instructions
- Project information
- Exam information
- Technical examples and help
- Selected books, courses, visualisations, and other resources
Questions and announcements
Use the general UniTartuCS Zulip channel for course-wide announcements and questions. Use the relevant group channel for practice-session discussion and email for personal matters.
Dates to be announced
- The exam format and dates will be published on the Exam page.
- The final project and poster-session dates will be published on the Projects page.
Previous years
Recent editions: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
Earlier editions: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 fall | 2013 spring | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009